Chapter 21: A New World, New Possibilities

Wei's ship emerged from the portal into a bright blue sky, a sight he hadn't seen in ages during his time on the wasteland planet. Sunlight flooded the cockpit, forcing him to adjust his eyes to the dazzling view ahead. Below, a vibrant world stretched out, with forest-covered mountains, winding rivers, and small medieval villages scattered across the horizon.

Wei gazed out the window, his mouth slightly agape. He recognized the architecture, the fields, and even the style of the villagers visible below. This was a world he knew well, thanks to the anime he had watched before his reincarnation.

"I… I'm really here," Wei murmured, a smile breaking across his face.

The Phantom, floating beside him, interrupted his thoughts. "This world appears fully functional, with signs of medieval civilization, abundant magic, and… other unusual data I'm still processing. What's your plan?"

Wei chuckled, still taking in the planet below. "First, I'll explore. This place is unlike anything we've seen so far."

Landing in the New World

Wei landed his ship in a secluded clearing on the edge of a forest. Before stepping out, he prepared a basic inventory, including:

Hand Blaster (Level 1) Light Fragment Modular Construction Tool T-7 Support Droids (deactivated to avoid drawing attention).

"No heavy weaponry for now," Wei muttered. "Better not scare anyone."

As he stepped onto the ground, he was greeted by the sound of trees swaying in the wind and birds singing. The forest around him seemed peaceful, but Wei knew better than to let his guard down.

Exploring the Nearby Village

Following a dirt road, Wei arrived at a small medieval village. Wooden and stone houses lined the main street as villagers bustled about, carrying baskets of food and tools. He observed from a distance, trying to grasp the dynamics of the place.

"Be cautious," the Phantom advised. "This world doesn't recognize your technology. Avoid unnecessary attention."

Wei nodded, holstering his Blaster in a concealed pouch and tucking the Light Fragment under his cloak. He walked through the village as if he were an ordinary traveler, observing the surroundings.

He noticed something intriguing: a group of adventurers clad in light armor and wielding crude weapons was in a heated discussion with what appeared to be the village leader.

Wei moved closer discreetly, catching snippets of their conversation. The village leader, a robust man in simple clothing, was explaining the trouble caused by dangerous creatures attacking the nearby farms.

"These goblins won't leave us alone," the leader said with a worried expression. "We've already lost several crops, and our hunters are no match for them."

The adventurers looked hesitant. "The reward is too low," one of them said, crossing his arms. "And goblins can be troublesome in large groups."

Wei saw an opportunity. "If I help, I can earn their trust and learn more about this world."

He approached calmly, raising a hand in a friendly gesture. "Excuse me. Maybe I can help."

The leader eyed Wei warily. "And who are you? An adventurer?"

Wei smiled. "Something like that. Let's just say I'm passing through and enjoy solving problems."

After some convincing, the leader agreed to let Wei help.

The Mission: Eliminating the Goblins

Wei followed the trail to the farms, where the goblins had last been sighted. Using his Light Fragment, he scanned the area and detected movement traces leading to a nearby cave.

Inside the cave, Wei activated his Hand Blaster but tried to limit his use of advanced technology to avoid unnecessary damage to the environment. The goblins were numerous but poorly armed.

Using precise shots and careful strategy, Wei dispatched the enemies with ease. After clearing the cave, he discovered a hidden chest containing intriguing items:

[Collected Resources:]

Runic Crystals x2 Enigma Stone (a mysterious magical artifact).

"These crystals seem to conduct magical energy," Wei noted, showing them to the Phantom.

"These could prove useful," the Phantom replied. "I suggest storing them for integration with your system later."

Gaining the Villagers' Trust

Wei returned to the village, completing the mission. The leader greeted him with gratitude, offering a small reward in local currency. Although he didn't need the money, Wei accepted it to avoid raising suspicion.

More importantly, he gained the villagers' trust, and they began sharing information about the world.

While exploring the village, the Phantom brought up an unexpected notification:

[New Function Activated: Multi-Portal System]

Description: Your ship can now open portals to selected other worlds. The required energy depends on a combination of magical and technological resources.

"Interesting," Wei said, examining the data. "With these magical crystals and my advanced tech, I can expand my possibilities even further."

The Phantom agreed. "But first, we should continue exploring this world. There's much to learn before considering another journey."

Building a Discreet Base

Wei decided to return to the ship and establish a small, hidden base in the nearby forest using the resources he had brought from the wasteland planet. He knew he'd need a safe place to operate while he uncovered more about this magical world and its secrets.